Cannot open an Excel 2003 workbook by using Internet Explorer 6.0 (840386)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows XP
  • Microsoft Office Excel 2003

SYMPTOMS

When you try to open a Microsoft Office Excel 2003 workbook from a Web site by browsing to the location with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, you cannot open the file. Instead, you receive the following messages: Some files can harm your computer. If the file information below looks suspicious, or you do not fully trust the source, do not open this file.

Would you like to open the file or save it to your computer? If you click Save, you receive the following error message:
Internet Explorer cannot download ...File_name.xls from Server_name.
Internet Explorer was not able to open this Internet site. The requested site is either unavailable or cannot be found. Please try again later.
If you click Open, you receive the following error message:
Could not open 'http[s]://Server_name/File_path/File_name.xls'.
After you click OK, you receive the following error message:
Microsoft Excel cannot access the file 'http[s]://Server_name/File_path/File_name.xls' There are several possible reasons:
  • The file name or path name does not exist.
  • The file you're trying to open is being used by another program. Close the document in the other program, and try again.
  • The name of the workbook you're trying to save is the same as the name of another document that is read-only. Try saving the workbook with a different name.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Internet Explorer 6 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   16-Apr-2004  01:56  6.0.2800.1421   2,799,104  Mshtml.dll       
   16-Apr-2004  01:58  6.0.2800.1421   1,344,000  Shdocvw.dll      
   16-Apr-2004  01:58  6.0.2800.1421     485,888  Urlmon.dll       
   16-Apr-2004  01:59  6.0.2800.1421     589,824  Wininet.dll       

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/5/2006
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbIE600sp2fix kbIE600preSP2fix kbfix kbbug KB840386 kbAudITPRO kbAudEndUser